Rear Admiral Jerry Kyd was HMS Queen Elizabeth's CO for over four years. Picture: Royal Navy

Rear Admiral Kyd was appointed the first captain of HMS Queen Elizabeth in 2014.

It was a position he held until last month, when in New York City he handed over the reins to his successor Captain Nick Cooke-Priest.

He joined the Navy in 1990 and was given command of the frigate HMS Monmouth in 2004 – he was promoted to captain in 2009.

Rear Admiral Kyd became commanding officer of HMS Ark Royal in September 2010, then commanding officer of HMS Illustrious in 2011 and was made commanding officer of the Britannia Royal Naval College in Dartmouth in September 2012.